Justin Gatlin left off athlete of the year shortlist

Justin Gatlin left off athlete of the year shortlist

Controversial world 100-metre champion Justin Gatlin was left off the list of nominees for the IAAF’s World Athlete of the Year awards.

It is the first time since 2004 – when the American was also left out – that the world or Olympic 100m champion has not been shortlisted for the title.

The 35-year-old American, who has served two doping bans, was a surprise winner of the blue riband male event in London’s World Championships in August as Jamaican great Usain Bolt bowed out of his top-class career with a disappointing bronze medal.

The 2017 list is led by 10,000m world champion Mo Farah and South Africa’s 400m star Wayde van Niekerk.